Trait Integration and Population Development Specialist

Vylor Inc.; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Parental leave

Retirement plan

Tuition assistance

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Vylor Inc. is seeking a Trait Integration and Population Development Specialist to join our growth chamber team and advance soybean and wheat variety development.

You will lead sampling, seed inventory and seed shipments, while supervising full-time staff and contingents, ensuring high‑quality data, on‑time delivery, and strong process improvements.

This role emphasizes cross‑functional collaboration and adherence to regulatory standards in a fast-moving, innovation‑driven environment.

Qualifications

• High School Degree with 3-5 years experience in horticulture, biology or equivalent industry experience.
• Prefer Bachelors Degree 2-4 years of experience or equivalent industry experience.
• 2 years experience with people management preferred.
• Experience with seed Inventory management and seed shipping preferred.
• Propagating plants in field, greenhouse or growth chamber environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Sampling activities for both Soybean and Wheat.
• Train Full‑Time and Contingent employees using internal sampling protocols.
• Ensure sampling processes are done with attention to detail resulting in high quality data for selection decisions.
• Track sampling metrics and provide feedback to employees to ensure sampling deadlines are met.
• Lead Post Harvest/Bulk Threshing seed processing activities for both Wheat and Soybean crops.
• Lead JH15 Seed Inventory for Soybean and Wheat; Manage Cold Room inventory ensuring records are up to date.
• Process discard inventory while following regulatory standards; ensure stewardship procedures are complied with.
• Process seed requests, both incoming and outgoing, on time to ensure project deadlines are met.
• Participate in SPD inventory excellence activities; manage seed packet preparation weekly.
• Become a certified seed sampler to process seed samples for shipping.
• Manage full‑time direct reports and contingent workers; supervise weekend rotation.

Skills

People leadership

Sampling leadership

Seed inventory management

Seed shipping

Growth chamber operations

Education

High School Degree with horticulture/biology experience

Bachelor's degree relevant field (preferred)

Job description

Join Vylor—Powering the Future of Agriculture

At Vylor, we’re advancing agriculture through breakthrough science—combining elite germplasm, cutting‑edge biotech, and next‑generation expertise in gene editing and molecular breeding. Our portfolio includes trusted industry brands like Pioneer®, Brevant®, and Hoegemeyer®, delivering performance farmers rely on.

Join us to help scale innovation globally and shape what’s next in crop science.

We are seeking a Trait Integration and Population Development Specialist. You will be a key member of an aggressive population development and trait integration team within a growth chamber facility to develop improved soybean and wheat varieties. Your main responsibilities will be leading all sampling activities, seed inventory, seed shipments as well as manage full‑time employees and contingent workers.

What You’ll Do:

Sampling Responsibilities:

• Lead Sampling activities for both Soybean and Wheat.
• Train Full‑Time and Contingent employees using internal sampling protocols
• Ensure sampling processes are done with attention to detail resulting in high quality data for selection decisions.
• Track sampling metrics and provide feedback to employees to ensure sampling deadlines are met.
• Be a part of the JH15 CORE Team to help plan workload needs across all functions within JH15.
• Support other functions in JH15 to help cover peak workload needs.
• Maintain facility cleanliness and contribute to process improvement experimentation and implementation.

Seed Processing/Seed Inventory/Material Shipping Responsibilities:

• Lead Post Harvest/Bulk Threshing seed processing activities for both Wheat and Soybean crops.
• Lead JH15 Seed Inventory for Soybean and Wheat
• Manage Cold Room inventory ensuring records are up to date.
• Process discard inventory while following regulatory standards.
• Ensure all stewardship procedures are complied with.
• Process seed requests, both incoming and outgoing, on time to ensure project deadlines are met.
• Participate in internal and external audits and explain internal inventory processes.
• Participate in SPD inventory excellence activities.
• Manage seed packet preparation for planting on a weekly basis for soybean and wheat crops.
• Become a certified seed sampler to process seed samples for shipping.

People Leader:

• Manage full‑time direct reports performing all people leader and performance feedback responsibilities.
• Supervise a group of contingent workers and schedule tasks to ensure workload is completed to meet deadlines.

Other Responsibilities:

• Lead weekend operational activities as part of the assigned weekend rotation schedule.

What You Need:

Education & Desired Qualifications:

• High School Degree with 3-5 years experience in horticulture, biology or equivalent industry experience.
  • Prefer Bachelors Degree 2-4 years of experience or equivalent industry experience.
• 2 years experience with people management preferred.
• Experience with seed Inventory management and seed shipping preferred.
• Propagating plants in field, greenhouse or growth chamber environments preferred.

Competencies

• Have hired, trained and managed employees.
• Communicate effectively, display a positive attitude, and work efficiently and effectively with others in a team environment is required.
• Pay close attention to detail and follow standard operating and safety/ergonomics protocols is essential.
• Work individually and as a member of a dynamic, diverse, and cross‑functional team with minimal supervision.
• Prioritize work on multiple projects and delegate responsibilities to others as needed to meet deadlines.
• Creatively solve problems, implement solutions, and foster a culture of continuous operational excellence.
• Lead through influence.
• Train and supervise other employees, and work well with others or independently with minimal supervision.
• Self‑motivated, proactive, and adaptable.
• Must be able to stand and sit for long periods of time and lift a minimum of 15 pounds. Must be able to tolerate hours of repetitive work in a warm, humid environment with pollen present year‑round.

*Please note there is visa sponsorship or relocation assistance available for this role.

Benefits – How We’ll Support You:

• Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills
• Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place
• Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment
• Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well‑being pay per year, plus paid holidays
• Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father
• Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program
• Learn more about our total rewards package here - Vylor Benefits
• Check out life at Vylor! https://www.linkedin.com/company/vylorgenetics/

Vylor is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing our differences to enrich lives, advance innovation, and boost company performance. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, military or veteran status, pregnancy related conditions (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), disability or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.